Protesters call for end to attacks

Wet weather kept the numbers down

About 500 people have attended an anti-war demonstration in central London.

The demonstraters marched along The Strand to Whitehall on Sunday afternoon, where about 50 of them remained for a sit-down protest.

A Metropolitan Police spokesman said the rally was very peaceful with no arrests, and no disruption to traffic.

The UN charter article 33 says that all non-violent means should be exhausted before military action is resorted to

Robyn Oakley, march organiser

The rally was organised by the peace group Justice Not Vengeance, which was formed in response to the US-led anti-terrorism attacks on Afghanistan.

Organiser Robyn Oakley said the protest was aimed at condemning both the 11 September attacks, and the military answer to it.

He told the BBC: "More just and appropriate responses using international criminal procedures and extradition procedures would be a better option.

"The UN charter article 33 says that all non-violent means should be exhausted before military action is resorted to.

"The Taleban has offered negotiating positions on a number of occasions... to go straight to military action instead is in violation of the UN charter."

More rallies

Mr Oakley said hundreds of thousands of civilian lives were at risk in Afghanistan, and mass starvation was a real possibility.

He asked authorities in the US and allied countries to think again about the war on terrorism.

He said: "We're calling for a complete reassessment and reappraisal, and an effort to be put into the humanitarian crisis rather than military action."

The rally is understood to be backed by the Green Party, London CND, Pax Christi and the Campaign Against the Arms Trade.

On Saturday hundreds of people protested in Blackburn

It is the latest of several peace rallies to be held in the UK since the 11 September attacks.

On Saturday hundreds of Muslims rallied in Blackburn, Lancashire against the US-led military action in Afghanistan.

On the previous weekend about 20,000 people marched in central London - many also carrying "justice not vengeance" banners.

Another major protest is expected to be held in London on 18 November.

Campaigners have also been marching in Glasgow and Belfast.